By Litun Kumar Sahu

Angul: False promises of jobs and a better life are being used to lure young women from Angul district into trafficking networks, with victims allegedly sold, forced into marriages, and subjected to exploitation outside Odisha. Those belonging to economically vulnerable backgrounds remain particularly at risk, with agents targeting them with offers of employment in other States.

Government figures show that 10 young women from the district have been trafficked outside Odisha in the past 18 months, highlighting the continuing threat.

In the latest incident, a young woman from Angul town went missing in July after stepping out to visit a church in Pragatinagar. Heavy rain reportedly forced her to take shelter at a shop near the Puruna Bus Stand. A couple allegedly took advantage of the situation, abducted her and transported her by train to Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh, where she was confined in a house.

She was subsequently sold for Rs 1.20 lakh to a young man, who allegedly forced her into marriage and kept her confined while subjecting her to physical abuse.

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She eventually managed to contact her family over the phone and narrate her ordeal. Following a complaint, Angul Superintendent of Police Rahul Jain formed two teams which travelled to Madhya Pradesh, rescued the woman and arrested two persons there. They also arrested the couple allegedly involved in her abduction from Saubhagyanagar in Angul town. All the accused were subsequently forwarded to court.

According to official data, three young women were trafficked from Angul during the first seven months of this year. Police rescued all three and arrested three persons in connection with the cases.

In 2025, two trafficking cases involving young women were reported, leading in the arrest of four persons. In 2024, five young women were allegedly trafficked outside the State and sold. Police rescued all five victims and arrested eight men and four women in connection with the cases.

"We act promptly whenever we receive complaints of trafficking," a senior police officer said.